Transcript: Outside Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux

Outside Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux

Q: Where were you most disappointed with the defense on Sunday?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I would definitely say, just the mindset. I say that because we started off hot, and then as things started to unravel, it got to us. Obviously, just being human, it's easy to get down on yourself when things aren't going well. But just continuing to battle, and regardless of the score, just keep putting our identity on tape.

Q: What was (Head Coach) Dabs (Brian Daboll) message to you guys on Monday?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: It's the first game. You talk about playing a long season and being a team. It always comes down to about eight losses, at the end of the day. At the end of it all, if you've got eight losses, you can still get in the game. Obviously, we're not thinking like that as far as the losses, but understanding that things happen as a team, and you've just got to kind of continue to take what you need from the last game and move forward and get better.

Q: Was the defense itself an issue on Sunday?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I think we all were an issue, to be honest. I don't think there's one person or one play that dictated the game. I think we've got to play cohesive football, where offense helps to complement defense, defense complements the offense, and we just didn't execute on it.

Q: Was there any getting used to a new defensive coordinator for the first time, for real?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I really can't speak to that, but I think one thing I can speak to is playing defense just across the league. If you watch any NFL team, pretty much every defense wasn't where they want to be, and that's just based off of the habits that we create and just continuing to build momentum and really play football. Tackle quarterbacks, tackle running backs, make the plays you're supposed to, run to the ball and just different habits that you've got to continue to build. It's real now since we're in the season. So, definitely want to see more turnover from myself and the team on just the simple fundamentals of the game.

Q: When you looked at yourself, what did you look at and say, 'What can I do to be more involved'?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Fundamentally sound. Obviously, you start to get down, things start to get on you, but the last play can't help or hurt you, so continuing to play fundamentally sound and just continue rushing. They had a lot of chippers and a lot of different things last game that slowed the rush down, but not letting it get into your head and just continuing to stick within the game plan.

Q: Are you looking forward to Washington? I mean, you've had a lot of success against them in your first two years. What makes this team, you see their colors, elevate your game?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I would say Washington, in particular, they're not really a rival, but they're in our division, so it's always a great game. We see them twice a year, so I'm excited. (Washington Commanders quarterback) Jayden Daniels is a great quarterback. He's from Cali(fornia). Grew up knowing him, grew up with him, so I understand he's a great player and I'm excited to go against him.

Q: Can you use (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) as a resource at all? Obviously, that's his really close friend. Ask him, maybe, what he likes to do with his tendencies are?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: We haven't got there yet, but you watch the tape. It's all on tape. At the end of the day, that's all it's about. You can ask – word of mouth is everything – and then when you ask me about how our team did versus what we are on tape, the tape never lies. The eye in the sky gets everything. Obviously, he likes to run it. We've seen it. He's great at it. We've got to stay within the rush plan, but continue to understand what his abilities are.

Q: How much does that impact you as a pass rusher, where you have a guy who, if he gets outside, it's going to be trouble?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I think it's a difference between a (Baltimore Ravens quarterback) Lamar Jackson and a Jayden Daniels, just on the simple fact of the experience. Lamar (Jackson) or (Kansas City Chiefs quarterback) Patrick Mahomes, these guys are continuously trying to extend plays, which is good, to be honest, for me. I personally like it because in their head, they can make the big play. As a rusher, if you just keep going, it'll eventually get there. For younger dudes, you see more of a one-read, run. It'll be similar to where it may be hard to sack him or maybe because he's going to be moving around the pocket, and if it's first read isn't there, he's taking off running. Like I said, just continuing to stay disciplined in your rush, disciplined in your game plan.

Q: Is it harder to prepare for a guy who's a first-read and run guy versus a guy like… When you played Lamar (Jackson), you knew if he broke contain, he's still looking to throw the ball down the field…

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Exactly. I think it's not harder, but you definitely have to rotate more and be ready because it's a lot of cardio. For an edge guy, you're already trying to rush the tackle and then chase the quarterback. Now you've got a 4.3 (speed) quarterback, now you're rushing the tackle, and you've got to assume or hope that he holds the ball. It's a lot of variables, but you just try to keep going and rush as much as you can.